Unwavering commitment

Newspapers continue to serve an invaluable function as the touchstones of vibrant communities

October 08, 2014

In its 74th year, National Newspaper Week (Oct. 5-11) finds the industry in an undeniable state of turmoil.

Yet newspapers continue to provide an indispensible service by telling the stories that define the cities and towns they serve. We provide government oversight and hold public officials accountable. We dive deep into civic affairs in an effort to provide understanding to our readers.

In short, newspapers serve as the foundation for vibrant communities. And we will continue to deliver that invaluable service to readers in new and innovative ways for years to come.

Many of us who spent our professional lives in newsrooms romanticize the era when papers alone set the agenda for big cities, when columnists defined the parameters of debate and where people always turned to one source when they wanted the scoop.

Today, we live in a dynamic, technological age. A daily newspaper provides a snapshot of events even as developments continue. On the web and through smartphone-specific mobile sites, newspapers speed information to readers in ways that may one day overwhelm print.

People still turn to newspapers because of the things that distinguish us from other sources.

Acting as a watchdog on behalf of the public is a time-honored tradition and one we are proud to uphold. Violations of the state's open government law are a common occurrence, but when York supervisors try to hold a retreat without proper notice or when trial records are improperly sealed by a local judge, the paper has stepped in to defend the public's right to know.

We tirelessly scrutinize how your tax dollars are spent. When Virginia spent millions on the U.S. 460 project, with nothing to show for it, we followed the money and told you about it. Hampton's secretive sting, targeting cigarette traffickers, spent $4 million, netted no arrests and might never have seen the light of day were it not for our reporters poking around.

But the efforts of this news organization encompass so much more.

When a hurricane threatens, rains might flood your street or snow may blanket the region, you can turn to the Daily Press for timely updates and closing announcements. Want that information sent via email or text? We do that too.

When people gather — be it senior citizens to protest property tax changes in Hampton, or Newport News residents celebrating Southeast Community Day — expect us to cover it.

When our local high schools compete, we'll detail the moments that determined triumph or defeat. And our coverage of Virginia Tech, Virginia, William and Mary, Hampton and Old Dominion sports draws fans from across the commonwealth and beyond.

These are stories about you, your families, your friends and neighbors. They are the chronicle of our community. And our commitment to tell them — and tell them well — remains unwavering.

A watchdog's bark

On Tuesday, the York County Board of Supervisors reviewed proposed changes about how to handle requests under the Freedom of Information Act. They are both curious and troubling.

Under the proposal, York government would significantly raise the cost of some documents and provide others only in CD form. The county zoning ordinance, for instance, would cost $80, up from $20, which only those with deep pockets would be able to afford.

Citizens would be charged for staff members' time after the first 15 minutes, despite the fact that these are public employees paid with taxpayer dollars. We suppose that initial period is considered pro bono work?

And the public information officer would be informed of FOIA requests, including those considered complex, sensitive or of "uncertain legitimacy." We can only wonder what document requests might quality as being "illegitimate."

The changes would make permanent the county's practice of charging 2 cents per photocopied public record instead of 25 cents as was previously charged. But the additional staff charges would seem to negate any price benefit there.

Complying with the Freedom of Information Act, which says public business ought to be done in public and that Virginians have a right to know what their officials, is a fundamental responsibility of government in this state. But throwing up roadblocks — including charging unreasonable amounts to search for records — when citizens invoke FOIA is a tradition in Virginia.

We urge people in York to tell the county to set a good example for the rest of the state by not charging for staff time to search for records. We urge them to tell the Board of Supervisors that they do not like the idea of a public servant telling a member of the public that a request to know about a public body is illegitimate.

In fact, it's these proposals that are of "uncertain legitimacy." Accordingly, supervisors should reject them.